Author's tour: horse trekking in Armenia (7 days)

The animal and plant world of Armenia is unique and original. The reasons for such an amazing biological diversity of this region lie in its special geological location. The flora and fauna of Armenia is an amazing and impressive combination of European, Asian and African features, while standing out with a large number of unique species found only in the Caucasus.

The tour operator "ExploreArmenia.am" offers an exclusive horse tour (7 days / 6 nights) in the surroundings of territory of the Khosrov reserve, the Urtskiy ridge and the Dahnak mountains, where the Red Book animals live in large numbers - bezoar goat, Armenian mouflon, Caucasian bear, lynx etc. The horse trekking route crosses the migration path of a rare Caucasian leopard (if you wish, you can explore the cameras - traps set in the path of this rare predator). The flora of this region is also unique with a large number of endemic, rare and endangered biological species. The ornithological component of the tour is also sorough. On the route of our horse expedition in Armenia there is an opportunity to see the Caspian snowcock, bearded, stone partridge, daytime birds of prey and other rare species of birds.

Not only the biological agenda of the proposed exclusive campaign in Armenia is rich. During the excursion on horseback we will study a lot of cultural and historical monuments - monasteries, churches, khachkars (stones-crosses) of ancient tombstones and cemeteries. The first we are waiting for the fortress-monastery of 10-13 centuries Gevorg Marzpetuni (Tapi Berd) Castle with its unique infrastructure and Arabian cemetery, where we will spend the night. Next we will be amazed with distinctive khachkars and tombstones - the Spitak Khach Church of the 12-13th century. Then, on our way, the high-altitude church of Surb Karapet 13-14 centuries will slowly appear from the clouds.

In the mountains we will meet with Alpine shepherds who will treat us with natural ecological products, the aroma of which you will remember for a long time. In general, most of the products that we have stored for the days of the tour will be purchased in the nearby villages, which means they will be environmentally friendly and tasty. They will be processed by our staff before our arrival.

Note: since the tour is to some extent extreme, lovers of extreme tourism at the age of 50-55 years old are allowed to the tour, physically healthy, since the elevation changes on the route range from 1,200 to 2,800 m.

Meals on the way: breakfast, light lunch on halts and a dense snack in the TENT CAMP.

We draw your attention to the fact that everything that is described in the tour program is already included in its price.ExploreArmenia.am

Day 1 - Airport - Yerevan City Tour

Meeting at the airport

Transfer and check in to hotel

The tour will begin with a walking tour of the city. The architecture of Yerevan is original. Today, Yerevan is a city in which there are various architectural styles, with green alleys, numerous fountains. You will get acquainted with the sights of Yerevan: the Grand Cascade (open-air museum), the Square of France, the Opera and Ballet Theater, North Avenue, the Square of the Republic.

Day 2 - Yerevan - moving to Urtsadzor village - Training

Early departure

Arrival in the village of Urtsadzor, acquaintance and establishing contact with horses, under the guidance of our guides-instructors, training.

Advance on horses to the monastery of Gevork Marzpetuni (Tapi bird) 10-13 century.

Observation of the flora and fauna of the area.

Light lunch on the way.

Exploring the fortress and its surroundings.

Dinner and overnight in tents.

Day 3 - Crossing the Dakhnak Mountains - Spitak Khach Church

Extension through the Dakhnak Mountains to the Spitak Khach Church.

Monitoring rare and endangered species of the flora and fauna of the region.

Light snack on halts.

Exploring the church and its surroundings.

Dinner and overnight in tents near the village of Lanjanist.

Day 4 - Crossing the Urtsky Ridge - Surb Karapet Church

Early departure

Crossing the Urtsky Range

Monitoring rare biological species.

Meeting in alpine meadows with shepherds

Easy lunch.

Crossing Moshagyuh to Surb Karapet church.

Dinner, overnight in tents.

Day 5 - Crossing the Dakhnak mountains - Summer pastures - Yeranos

Early departure

Circular maneuver around the Dakhnak mountains watching the wildlife of the region.

Descent to the town of Yeranos (not to be confused with the village of Yeranos on Lake Sevan), where shepherd’s families live on summer pastures.

Easy lunch on halts

The study of khachkars (stones, crosses) 6-8 centuries.

Dinner and overnight in tents.

Day 6 - Crossing the buffer zone of Khosrov Reserve to the village of Urtsadzor

Trek in the surroundings of Khosrov reserve to Urtsadzor.

Study of the unique ecological diversity of the region.

Lunch on the halts.

Return from the south to the complex of the monastery of Gevorg Marzpetuni (Tapi bird) 10-13 centuries.

Dinner, night in tents. (If you wish - later return to Yerevan).

Day 7 - Airport transfer

Free day

Dinner

Airport transfer

Armenia is a country to fall in love with!

WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE WITH YOURSELF: Warm clothes, long sleeved clothes, warm waterproof shoes, since there is still snow in spring, gloves, a hat, an umbrella, phone, laptop and tablet chargers and other equipment, medicines for permanent use, antibacterial gel and wipes, antiseptic lip cream, sunscreen and sunglasses.

The cost of the tour includes:

Transportation service;

The service of the accompanying guide - biologist and instructor - the groom;

Horse rental;

Tents, sleeping bags and other attributes;

Spring water throughout the tour;

24-hour tourist support by phone;

Medical insurance;

Taxes

The cost of the tour does not include:

air tickets;

entry visa (if required);

alcoholic beverages;

WHAT IS NECESSARY TO KNOW ABOUT HORSE TOURS

The specificity of horseback riding is that the tourist will spend in the saddle from 3 to 6 hours a day, and this requires certain riding skills. We want to note how it is necessary to treat horses:

one must approach the horse and sit on it on the left side;

it is necessary to go around the horse in front;

before boarding a horse, check the ammunition: is the saddle-girth tight? does the saddle hang out? are the reins thrown over the neck?

It is strictly prohibited for your safety:

ride a horse on the right side;

release the reins from the hands, fasten them on the saddle, wind on the arm, etc.;

go around the horse from behind, especially to touch the croup or tail;

ride a tied horse;

break the distance in the column, or go for overtaking;

carry sharp objects in your pockets that can hurt you when falling from a horse.

It is very important to strictly follow the directions of the instructors.

Requirements for equipment for participation in the horseback tour:

clothing should be comfortable, and trousers and underwear should not have rough internal seams, in order to avoid calluses with a long ride in the saddle;

shoes must have a heel. It`s desirable to have boots. It is forbidden to use shoes with highly grooved surfaces or soft shoes, which may prevent the quick release of the foot from the stirrup;

in the mountains it is necessary to have changeable clothes that can protect from cold, rain and wind. Shoes must be waterproof. To protect from the sun, you must have a hat and sunscreen.

Attention - the tour operator ExploreArmenia is ready, in accordance with your needs and tastes, to develop and provide any other route of horse tour in Armenia and Georgia that interests you.

Price - Horse trekking in Armenia 7 day (price per person)

2 people

4 people

6 people

7 people or more

1240 USD

870 USD

760 USD

on request

Statements about Armenia

«Every European, every man should visit Armenia, if for a day, to cleanse himself under the clouds of spirituality. In Armenia, time creates the space, and he who visits Armenia becomes Armenian, if only bit. I feel that my visit to Armenia initiated my travel upwards. My travel up to the sky.»

Tonino Guerra (1920- 2012), Italian poet, writer and screenwriter,

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